Chapter 10: A Risky Plan
Uchiha Kenzo opened his eyes calmly.
He rose slowly from his sleeping posture and stretched both hands outward, releasing a comfortable yawn as the stiffness left his shoulders. Then he calmly stepped off his tatami mat.
By now, the village had already started stirring with life.
Faint footsteps echoed in the streets outside. Merchants were lifting wooden shutters. Somewhere in the distance, a child laughed. The soft morning breeze carried the scent of fresh bread and damp earth.
Kenzo quietly prepared himself some green tea.
As the water heated, he shifted his gaze toward the still relatively quiet atmosphere of the village through the window.
While looking out the window, he thought—
He had already decided to become a rogue shinobi.
There weren't many choices left in his current situation.
The Uchiha had already abandoned him, and he himself was very pessimistic about the clan surviving this ordeal. Many of their ordinary members were already working for the Hokage as his eyes and ears.
Let alone saving him.
They can't even save themselves.
Besides, he himself did not like being restricted.
Also… this wasn't the only reason he decided to become a rogue ninja.
He had the system — something that would allow him to grow stronger in a very short period of time.
That was the main reason he dared to take such a huge risk.
If he didn't have the system, he absolutely would not have chosen defection. He would have found a different path.
Because by becoming a rogue ninja, he would basically be hunted down by the entire shinobi world.
At that time, even with Jonin-level strength, he would still have to keep running and hiding.
However, if he reached Kage-tier strength… then things would become completely different.
Instead, they would be the ones running from him.
Yes, staying in the village might give him more time to prepare contingencies.
But in the end—
All of it would be meaningless in front of absolute power.
He had long since understood the nature of this world.
Whoever has the bigger fist wins.
It was exactly the same in his previous world.
So if he simply grew strong enough to win—
Every difficulty in his path would vanish like smoke in the wind.
So first, he would take the initiative in this game.
And play on his own terms.
The green tea was finally brewed.
Kenzo picked up the cup and gently blew across the surface, watching the steam curl upward before taking a small sip.
Warmth spread down his throat.
His thoughts sank deeper.
His plan was simple:
Take a mission outside the Land of Fire… and disappear.
Of course, he knew Root would definitely attempt to eliminate him during the mission.
But he had confidence in escaping from them.
If he were a mere ordinary Jonin, he definitely wouldn't have chosen defection.
But after devouring the soul of the original owner, his own soul strength had risen to another level.
Soul strength was not something to underestimate.
It sharpened perception.
Made one's senses extraordinarily keen.
And most importantly—
The Sharingan.
His Sharingan could definitely be called top-tier among the three-tomoe stage. He was confident he could trap an elite Jonin for some time with ocular paralysis alone.
And with a system that granted him power upon killing—
He could eventually become like an inexhaustible machine.
But that was for the future.
His current understanding of the Path of Killing was still shallow.
However, after killing a few real Jonin…
Who knew how much stronger he would become?
With that thought, he finished his green tea and stood up to pack his supplies.
Today, he would say goodbye to Konoha.
Though it hadn't been long since he arrived in this world, he still considered this place his origin.
After all, this was where he had transmigrated.
He took out a sealing scroll and began silently packing all the useful items for the trip.
Like—Weapons, Explosive tags, Wire, Rations, Medical supplies.
He also needed to resupply properly before leaving.
After gathering what was useful and discarding what was not, Uchiha Kenzo put on his ninja gear and stepped outside to purchase the remaining supplies he needed.
He knew how dangerous the coming battle could be.
But he still chose to move forward relentlessly.
Because hesitation — especially at a time like this — meant death.
⸻
Meanwhile…
At Root's headquarters.
In a dim underground chamber lit by a single flickering torch—
Shimura Danzo sat on his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
Before him, Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fū knelt silently on the cold stone floor.
"So you are saying," Danzo said slowly, "that the Uchiha brat has packed most of his supplies and is heading toward the mission counter after resupplying…"
"Despite knowing he is under surveillance?"
After a short silence, Danzo let out a low chuckle.
"Good… good… good."
"Truly a brat who does not fear death."
A chilling light flashed in his visible eye.
"Torune."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
"Immediately take our most elite team."
"And bring me that brat's eyes."
Aburame Torune bowed his head.
"Understood, Lord Danzo."
In the next instant—
His figure vanished from the chamber.
And the underground room fell silent once more.